Radiographic study of Sever's disease

X-ray and MRI differences of calcaneal epiphysis between Sever's disease patients and normal children were compared and analyzed to raise awareness of Sever's disease. A total of 98 children with Sever's disease were enrolled in the study, including 72 males and 26 females. Among them, 6 patients underwent MRI. There were 120 patients in the control group, including 73 males and 47 females, aged 8 to 15 years. The calcaneus epiphysis density (compact and cancellous bone type), the difference of the radiolucent line and the signal changes of Sever's disease on MRI of the two groups were observed and analyzed. Among the patients with Sever's disease, the male incidence rate was 79.59%, the female incidence rate was 20.41%, the average age of onset was 11.35, the average age of onset for male was 11.49, and the average age of onset for female was 10.80. There were significant statistical differences between the two groups in terms of epiphysis density (compact and cancellous type) and translucent line (χ²=38.85, 137.51, P<0.05). Six cases of MRI showed partial or complete different degrees of bone marrow, ligament, soft tissue edema, and joint effusion. Sever's disease is mainly characterized by increased density of the calcaneus epiphysis and a radiolucent line of the epiphysis. It manifests as heel edema on MRI image.

Keywords: Calcaneus epiphysitis; calcaneal epiphysis; magnetic resonance imaging; radiography.